Notes from Admiral Jurkowsky​

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of Rear Adm. Bruce Newell, the Navy’s 14th Chief of Information, yesterday afternoon at age 87.

Bruce served as CHINFO from August 1980 – June 1982, and as a Surface Warfare Officer, he had a unique perspective of our Public Affairs community. His son Rob, a retired Navy Captain PAO and our current director of Community Outreach at CHINFO, shared this about his Dad:

“He loved the Public Affairs Community. He was a Nuke SWO….back when the Navy had those guys. He commanded three ships….an ocean-going tug as a LCDR (TAKELMA); a DDG (ADAMS) and a CGN (BAINBRIDGE), but the experience that always seemed to put the biggest smile on his face was his tour as the CHINFO. “There were just such great people in that community,” he would always tell me. “I loved them!” Tom Jurkowsky was his EA….John Carman was his aide. And Judy Van was doing Public Inquiries. I was in high school then….and being in the Navy was the furthest thing from my mind….but I guess something must have sunk in. Over the years, he reveled in the updates that I would give him about what was going on. ‘How’s the Navy Rob?’ He used to say.”

Here in the CHINFO office, we have displayed on the wall a framed set of Bruce’s cufflinks, engraved with the inscription, “Truth Well Told.” That is such a perfect way to describe the ideal of our profession. Bruce’s legacy provides us an even great ideal to aspire to: Life Well Lived.

Bruce had a tremendous career of service to our nation, our Navy and Navy public affairs. His enthusiasm and spirit remain with us.

Rob and his family will celebrate Bruce’s life in a small service in Pennsylvania in accordance with the present limitations on gatherings. Later this summer, we expect there will be a burial service here in Arlington. I will keep you posted on those plans as they develop.

Very respectfully, Charlie

March 22, 2020A Message for Membership

USNPAA Members:

Admiral Bill McRaven penned the below op-ed piece in Friday’s Washington Post, and Chuck Connor suggested sending it out to all of you. It’s a very uplifting piece as we all cope with the current pandemic.

Needless to say, I hope all of you are staying healthy and are navigating through this very challenging time.

Tom​

The dawn seems a long way off. But hope abounds.By William McRaven

For a would-be Navy SEAL, Hell Week is the worst week of the toughest military training in the world. It is six days of no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment, and one "special day" at the Mud Flats. The Mud Flats are an area between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico, where the water comes together and creates a swampy patch of terrain, a muddy bog that tests your determination to be a SEAL.

My training class had been out of the mud for a short period of time when the instructors, looking to weed out the weak of mind and body, ordered the entire group of 55 men back into the bog. The mud consumed each man until there was nothing visible but our heads. We were all exhausted, numb from the cold and desperate to hold on. The instructors told us that we could all leave the mud - if just five men quit. It was the instructors' way of turning us against each other.

It was apparent that some of the trainees were about to give up. There were still eight hours to go before the sun rose - eight more hours of bone-chilling cold. Several of the students started moving to dry ground; they were ready to quit. And then, one voice began to echo through the night - one voice raised in song. The song was terribly out of tune but sung with great enthusiasm. One voice became two, and two became three, and before long the entire class was singing. The instructors threatened us with more time in the mud if we kept singing, but the singing persisted. Those of us stuck in the mud believed that if one of us could start singing when he was up to his neck in mud, then maybe the rest of us could make it through the night. And we did.

Today, the coronavirus has thrown us all in the mud. We are cold, wet and miserable, and the dawn seems a long way off. But while we should not be cavalier about the dangers of this pandemic, neither should we feel hopeless and paralyzed with fear. Hope abounds.

We have the greatest scientists in the world working to create a vaccine. Health-care workers are pulling double shifts to care for the sick. Republicans and Democrats have come together to find solutions. State and local officials are taking decisive steps to flatten the curve of infection. Our economy is strong enough to survive even in these challenging times. The United States has an unmatched ability to mobilize when called to action. More importantly, as we always have in times of crisis, Americans are rallying together, caring for one another, showing the compassion and concern that have always characterized this nation of good people.Nothing in our immediate future will be easy. The number of cases will rise. The losses will increase. The markets will stumble. But make no mistake about it, we will prevail, because the only thing more contagious than a virus is hope. We are all up to our necks in mud. It's time to start singing.

William H. McRaven, a retired Navy admiral, was commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. He oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan that killed Osama bin Laden. This op-ed draws on a commencement address he gave at the University of Texas at Austin in 2014.

​March 15, 2020The Passing of CAPT Jim Mathews and CDR Tom Wyld

​Dear USNPAA Members,It is with deep regret that I announce the deaths of two of our colleagues—Captain Jim Mathews and Commander Tom Wyld.

Jim Mathews was an Association plank owner. He was a mentor to many of us, and his skills and experience were deeply respected and admired. Personally, I believe that the Navy public affairs community today commands the respect it does because of individuals like Jim who helped mold it. Jim clearly was one of the pillars that has formed the foundation of our community. Jim passed away on 18 February in Winter Springs, Florida. Arrangements for his funeral will be determined at a later date with burial in Arlington.

Tom Wyld passed away in Warrenton, Virginia, on 2 March after a long battle with cancer. Tom was a Surface Warfare Officer for ten years before changing his designator. Many of us remember his days in Navy Broadcasting where he worked with Buzz Rizer in shaping the Navy’s SITE system. After retiring from the Navy, Tom worked for the National Rifle Association where he was the Vice President for Legislative Affairs.

Dear USNPAA Members,​It is with deep sadness that I report the death of a legend in the Navy public affairs community—Mr. Jordan “Buzz” Rizer. Buzz passed away on Tuesday, 5 November.

Those of us who knew Buzz will always remember him as the architect of putting television entertainment systems aboard our ships. To our younger members who understand our current technology, they probably cannot relate to the significance of Buzz’s work in the 1970s. But to those who served in that timeframe, I can attest that his accomplishments were the result of an incredible vision. That vision helped set the Navy apart from its sister services by dramatically increasing the morale of our Sailors.

In 1981 Buzz was given the Navy’s highest civilian award for his work—the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. The award not only cited the impact Buzz’s work had on morale and retention but discussed how Buzz’s systems provided commanders and commanding officers new and unique communications tools. After his service to Navy, Buzz was named the director of the Armed Forces Information Service.

Prior to his roles as a distinguished civil servant, Buzz served in the Army and Air Force. He retired as an Air Force lieutenant colonel. Buzz was a USNPAA plank owner, one of the first individuals to join our organization in 1994.

For those who knew and worked with Buzz, we not only admired him as a professional and a visionary but as a wonderful human being. I will always remember Buzz for his kindness, civility and warmth. He had the unique ability to touch everyone with those qualities, and I can still remember several of my conversations with him in the CHINFO spaces. He had a very unique ability to put people at ease and make them feel special. Perhaps the best way to capture Buzz, his personality and his character is to cite the Facebook posting his daughter-in-law, Nancy, posted after his passing:

One of the greatest men I’ve ever known took his last breath this morning. He was my Boss, my best friend, my father in law and my Pop. Jordan Edward (Buzz) Rizer was professionally the most unselfish, dedicated military and civilian public servant. Nearly all of his life he served his country and the Department of Defense, first in uniform, Army and Air Force, then as a civilian, Director of Navy Broadcasting Service (Armed Forces Radio and Television), and retired as an Assistant Secretary of Defense (Director, American Forces Information Service). I was blessed to work with him for many years. My life was immensely touched by this man. He introduced me to my husband. He was a wonderful grandfather to my children. I love you Pop. I know, I know, you “love me more.” I can’t thank you enough for being such a great part of my life. It hurts that you are gone, but I know we will see each other again one day soon.

I'm very saddened to report the death of Commander Jack Mayo. Jack passed away unexpectedly in Glasgow, Scotland, on January 26, 2019 as he and his family were returning home from a vacation in Europe.

To those of us who knew Jack, he was a consummate professional—a highly respected public affairs officer, a public relations consultant and community leader. He had just turned 81 earlier in January.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Nita Louise, four children and one grandson.Details about a service are expected to be known soon. Arrangements are being handled by the Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home (wcfish.com) in Austin, Texas, where Jack and Nita Louise retired in 2000.

Jack was born January 9, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia. After earning an undergraduate degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures from the University of North Carolina, Jack was commissioned through ROTC and served two shipboard tours before being designated as a Public Affairs Officer.

Over a 21-year Navy career, Jack served as a ROTC instructor at the University of Texas, where he earned a graduate degree in Broadcasting and met Nita Louise. He served as PAO at Submarine Flotilla 2 in New London, First Naval District in Boston and was editor of “All Hands” in Washington, D.C.

In the early 1970s he was assigned to Detachment Charlie in Saigon, South Vietnam.

While assigned in Washington, D.C., Jack earned a second graduate degree from American University.

Following his retirement from the Navy, Jack directed public relations and taught at National University, worked for a public relations firm in San Diego and later opened his own PR and publishing firm.

Active in community affairs, Jack served as a Rotary club president and District Governor. Shortly after learning of his death, the Rotary Club of Austin honored Jack by naming Nita Louise an Honorary Rotarian.

A skilled writer and editor, Jack was the author of “Bulletin From Dallas: The President is Dead.” Published in 1967, the book provided a detailed accounting of media coverage surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

Advance work for a visit to Naples, Italy by President Kennedy;

Supporting the production of the movie “An Officer and a Gentleman” (family lore has it that the screenwriter or director named the lead character “Zack Mayo” (played by actor Richard Gere) after meeting Jack;

Handling media relations around the controversial negotiations between the Navy and the city of San Diego that resulted in the relocation of Balboa Naval Hospital in an undeveloped section of a city park.

As an undergraduate at UNC, he led campus tours for a number of dignitaries, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert Frost and Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jack is fondly remembered by many Navy public affairs colleagues as a smart, thoughtful professional known for his strategic thinking and good cheer. At a time when ashtrays were standard items on many a PAO’s desk, Jack was often observed tapping away on a manual typewriter, pipe clenched in his teeth with smoke swirling above his head. (Nita Louise reports that Jack retired his pipes in 1983). Personally, I remember Jack and his pipe quite fondly. As a fresh caught LTJG PAO, I was assigned to the CHINFO News Desk. Jack was also assigned to CHINFO and whenever we would go into crisis mode (which was quite often), I would find solace in Jack—calm and cool with his pipe. His guidance and counsel always put me at ease and helped me keep things in perspective

At the time of his death, Jack and family were en route home following a two-week cruise in Norway to witness the Northern Lights.

A consummate professional, a devoted husband, father and grandfather….Jack Mayo will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

If anyone would like to send Nita Louise a note, please let me know [tjurkowsky3@comcast.net], and I will provide you her address.Tom Jurkowsky

​

Jan. 30, 2019​​The Passing of CAPT Wendell Niles, Jr.

Dear USNPAA Members,Unfortunately, in my earlier message this week about the passing of Wendell Niles, I mistakenly drew some of the information about Wendell’s life from his father’s biography and obituary. Wendell’s dad was also ‘Wendell’ but was Wendell, Sr.

While Wendell, Sr. was the veteran radio and television announcer who worked with Hollywood stars, Wendell, Jr. began his Hollywood career as a production coordinator at Warner Brothers. He also was a talent services coordinator at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles before moving on to become the assistant director for radio and television at the Colgate-Palmolive Company in New York. He later co-founded United Pictures Corporation and was a producer for the All American Show at Goldwyn Studios in West Hollywood. Wendell was commissioned in the Naval Reserve in 1972 and worked closely with the NAVINFO LA/West office.

Colleague Mike Sherman who ran NAVINFO West emailed me when he learned about Wendell’s passing. Mike characterized Wendell as a true gentleman who was so proud to be a Naval officer. Mike noted that Wendell never failed to support CHINFO and the Navy in any of our endeavors—always ensuring that everyone in the Hollywood office was treated to all the “Hollywood magic" that Wendell had at his command. Mike says that Wendell was viewed in Hollywood as a significant member of the entire film community. “From stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Charlton Heston to potentates (Prince Albert, for example), they all came when he beckoned," said Mike.

Gary Shrout also led the NAVINFO West office and shared his thoughts about Wendell when he learned about his passing. Gary had lunch with Wendell many times during his tenure in Los Angeles and recalled one memorable one when Wendell set up a luncheon with Jackie Cooper. At the luncheon Cooper, who served as a Naval officer in World War II, shared that the Navy had saved his life.

Another former NAVINFO director, Bill Graves, characterized Wendell this way: “Wendell owned the Toluca Lake Tennis Club, where Charlton Heston played tennis. Wendell would twist ‘Chuck’s’ arms to do things for the Navy. Heston did us [the Navy] many favors, thanks to Wendell. Wendell could be depended on to recruit Hollywood celebrities to do things for the Navy. This was not always easy; remember, this was the 1970’s. The country was just coming out of the Vietnam War. We who wore military uniforms were not popular in Hollywood."

Wendell had countless contacts in Hollywood. I don’t think there’s anyone he did not know there. I strongly believe those connections have helped open many doors for the Navy which live on today. When you compare the visibility of the Navy versus the other services on the silver screen and in TV shows, the Navy stands out as having a far stronger presence. And in my mind, Wendell, Jr. is a big part of that stature.

Wendell is survived by his wife Nelle. Wendell’s family and friends will gather on Saturday, February 9, from 1400-1700 at the Toluca Lake Tennis Club in Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with Nelle and family during this difficult time.

Again, my apologies to all for some of the errors in my previous announcement.

Tom Jurkowsky

Jan. 28, 2019

​The Passing of CAPT John C. MacKercher, USN (Ret)

Dear USNPAA Members,It is with sadness that I inform you about the passing of USNPAA Life Member Captain John C. MacKercher, USN (Ret). He passed away on January 19, 2019. What follows is his obituary.

John Cameron MacKercherAPRIL 16, 1929 ~ JANUARY 19, 2019 (AGE 89)"John Cameron MacKercher, 89, peacefully passed into Eternal Life on January 19, 2019 in Brooksville, Florida with his devoted son and caregiver, Scott at his bedside.

Jack, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on April 16, 1929 and is the son of the late Donald Farquhar and the late Lucille Mildred (Tinkler) MacKercher. He is predeceased by his brother, Donald and sister in law Ann MacKercher.

In the summer of 1948, while visiting family in Newaygo, Michigan, Jack met the love of his life, the beautiful Leah Marie Mathews. Jack and Lee both graduated from Michigan State College (now University) and were married on June 2, 1951.

Jack’s journalism career began when he worked briefly for the Detroit Free Press before embarking on a distinguished career in the U.S. Navy. Before retiring as a Captain, Jack’s tours of duty included Great Lakes Naval Base, Illinois, Little Creek Amphibious Base, Virginia, San Diego, California, Taipei, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. He participated in the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 as a public affairs officer for Naval Amphibious Forces. Jack headed the Navy’s press responsibilities in South Vietnam in 1966 for one year. He traveled extensively throughout South Vietnam’s countryside and was exposed on numerous occasions to Agent Orange, a known cancer causing agent that affected many service personnel years later. He earned his Masters Degree in Public Relations from Boston University in 1967. Jack served with great distinction for four years as Public Affairs Officer to Admiral Thomas Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations. When Admiral Moorer was confirmed as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Jack was appointed his Special Assistant. Naval decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, and the Republic of Vietnam’s Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Jack attended the National Defense University where he did extensive research and writing related to his Vietnam War experiences. Jack served in the U. S. Labor Department during the Ford Administration as a senior official directing their public relations efforts. Jack was a fearless patriot who loved and defended his beautiful country, the United States of America. Jack continued promoting the principles of freedom through numerous published articles and commentary, including his syndicated column, “Capitol Cameos.”

Jack is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Lee, and his cherished five children and their loving families, four sons; devoted son and caregiver Scott Mathew, Duncan James, Captain John Cameron, Jr., U. S. Navy, retired and his wife Susan, and Rob Roy and his wife Cynthia, and daughter Jamie Ann and husband Joseph Thomas. Jack’s treasured grandchildren are John Kirk, Sean Michael and Ian Wesley Thomas, John Cameron, III, and Dr. Jana Lauren, and her husband Jake Elliker, Kristin Marie and her husband William Blakeney, Rob Roy, Jr. and his wife Beth, and Donald Mark, and Caroline Marie and Cameron Marie Carper. Jack’s lovable great grandchildren are William David Blakeney III and Rob Roy III. Jack is also survived by many loved cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

A Mass of the Resurrection took place on January 22, 2019 at St. Theresa Catholic Church Spring Hill, FL.

Jack will be laid to rest with full military honors at the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. That date will be announced in the near future."